PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners are backing a proposed health clinic at Port Angeles High School.
The three commissioners Tuesday approved a letter endorsing the school-based health clinic as outlined by the North Olympic Healthcare Network, district officials and the Port Angeles Citizens Action Network.
Under the proposal, the North Olympic Healthcare Network (NOHN) would send a health care provider to the high school, store medical records and cover the liability associated with operating a health care clinic on district property.
The on-campus center would allow students, many of whom have no access to health care, to see a doctor or other health care provider at school.
“We feel that it’s a necessary component of providing evidence-based, comprehensive, convenient, accessible and affordable health care for some of our most vulnerable citizens: our youth,” the county letter to the school board states.
Port Angeles School Board members are expected to vote on the proposed health clinic June 8.
Plans for the health center were presented to the school board by Port Angeles Citizen Action Network founder and Stevens Middle School teacher Angie Gooding, high school nurse Marlene Bradow and NOHN Chief Medical Officer Dr. Katrina Weller.
Start-up costs would be born by a service club through a grant, organizers have said.
Proponents say on-campus health clinics improve student learning, test scores, graduation rates and overall health.
Opponents have raised concerns about the provision of reproductive and mental health services.
The health center would not provide abortions. It would follow state law and provide contraceptive services and possibly make referrals for abortions, Weller has said.
“There have been discussions pro and con,” Commissioner Randy Johnson said in a Tuesday work session.
“The issue of course that the school board first had was insurance and also privacy of records. I believe that they have solved those issues, if one reads through this.
“I’ve certainly had negative comments about this,” Johnson added.
“But when you look at the data … to me, it was a very worthwhile endeavor.”
School-based health clinics have been effective from student, graduation and “a lot of other standpoints,” Johnson said.
Commissioners Bill Peach and Mark Ozias concurred with Johnson’s remarks.
Before approving the letter, commissioners heard testimony from four people who spoke in favor of the school-based health clinic. No speakers testified against it.
“As I’ve attended the school board meetings, I’ve been struck by the opponents of the school-based clinics,” said community activist Norma Turner.
“Rather than opposing on any real strong research, it’s been based on fear, what might it do and never asking what good things might it do.”
As a former school nurse, Turner said she could do little more than refer students to a doctor because of justifiable liability concerns.
“I was directed to refer [students] for medical care,” Turner said. “Well, if they didn’t have insurance, or they didn’t have a provider, or [their] parents were working two jobs and didn’t have time, that advice didn’t go very far.”
Turner added: “I see the school-based clinic as a great example of our community coming together and working across fields.”
Commissioners approved the letter to the Port Angeles School District on their consent agenda.
Ozias thanked Gooding and others who have worked to bring the school-based health clinic to fruition.
“It’s been a real heavy lift, and I really appreciate people like Angie who work so hard to make a difference in their community,” Ozias said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.
